More Ohio students earn college credit through AP Exams

In 2010, 23,045 Ohio public high school seniors took at least one AP exam; 14,323 scored 3 or higher (out of 5) at any point in high school (giving them some level of college credit, depening on the university). These numbers are up significantly from 2001, when 12,923 seniors took an AP test and 8,063 earned a 3 or higher.

This rate is also up from 2009, growing by 4.8%. Ohio’s 63% AP exam pass rate for 2010 surpasses the national average of 56%.

However, we are still behind the national average for high school seniors earning AP college credit – Ohio is at 11.8% versus 16.9% nationally.

To address this, the Ohio Department of Education has hired a full-time AP coordinator under Ohi’s Race to the Top (RttT) grant. The coordinator will work to encourage the offering of more AP classes, enhance professional development among AP teachers, and more.

If you would like to see Ohio’s AP growth and how we stack up compared to other sites, click here.

And as far as Milford is concerned: our AP class participation is up over 300% versus just two years ago! In the 2008-09 school year, 160 Milford high school students took AP classes; last year, that increased to 260; but this, we have over 500 students enrolled in AP classes! Superintendent Dr. Farrell says the increase is due to a letter that went out to parents after the PSAT test. The letter encouraged those students who tested well to try AP courses. The encouragement worked, which is great for our students – Dr. Farrell says there is no better way to prepare for the rigors of college than to take AP courses in your high school years.